Glucagon-like peptide-2 is an intestinal peptide hormone involved in gastrointestinal growth, nutrient absorption, mucosal integrity, intestinal blood flow, and maintenance of digestive tract structure. GLP-2 functions primarily as a trophic hormone for intestinal tissues, supporting preservation and adaptation of the gastrointestinal lining during changing nutritional and metabolic conditions.
The hormone enhances intestinal epithelial growth, promotes nutrient absorptive capacity, reduces epithelial apoptosis, and supports maintenance of mucosal barrier integrity. GLP-2 also influences intestinal circulation, digestive signaling, and communication between enteric nervous tissue and epithelial environments. Through these actions, it helps coordinate gastrointestinal adaptation in response to nutrient intake and intestinal physiological demand.
GLP-2 is produced mainly by enteroendocrine L-cells located in the distal small intestine and colon. The hormone is generated through enzymatic processing of the proglucagon precursor molecule, which also gives rise to GLP-1 and related peptide hormones.
Production increases after nutrient ingestion, particularly in response to carbohydrates, fats, and mixed meals reaching distal intestinal regions. Local secretion allows rapid endocrine and paracrine communication between nutrient-sensing pathways and gastrointestinal adaptation systems.
GLP-2 secretion is regulated by nutrient exposure, intestinal luminal stimulation, vagal signaling, gastrointestinal neural communication, and enteroendocrine feedback pathways. Feeding state and intestinal nutrient delivery strongly influence secretion dynamics.
GLP-2 acts through G-protein-coupled receptor systems expressed mainly in intestinal-supportive cellular networks rather than directly on epithelial cells. Receptor activation stimulates growth-related signaling pathways, intestinal blood flow regulation, epithelial repair mechanisms, and mucosal adaptation pathways. Rapid enzymatic degradation by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 limits circulating duration. Through these integrated gastrointestinal signaling systems, GLP-2 coordinates intestinal growth, epithelial maintenance, nutrient absorption, and digestive tract adaptation.
Supports intestinal trophism, absorption and barrier function.
